SAIC Could Buy GM Indian Plant

The Chinese carmaker SAIC is reportedly in talks with US former bankrupt automaker General Motors to purchase an Indian plant that would help the company expand its product offering in the region. According to a report by gasgoo.com citing a source close to the matter, SAIC Motor Group is aiming to manufacture Wuling vans in India but talks are still in the early stage.

Obviously, both GM and SAIC officials declined to comment on the reports which, in most cases, is the first sign that there might be some truth behind the story.

Details on the matter are yet to be disclosed but General Motors is already holding a joint venture with SAIC and Wuling Automobile in Guangxi province. The American carmaker produces Chevrolet Sparks and minivans at the plant, the aforementioned source noted.

This isn't the first time when SAIC is linked with a deal with General Motors as the largest Chinese automaker earlier this year expressed interest in GM's British brand Vauxhall. According to media reports on the matter, SAIC even contacted General Motors and discussed the possibility of taking over the UK-based carmaker, with German banking group Commerzbank rumored to be selected to supervise the whole process.

Furthermore, separate media coverage revealed that SAIC is looking to purchase the Opel Insignia platform which would be used to produce its very own models in China. A group of SAIC representatives have already discussed the possibility of purchasing the platform with Joseph Liu, GM Asia Pacific's vice president for sales and marketing, 21st Century Business Herald reported back in June.